Signal Detecting and Emitting Device

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example playback device includes a signal detector adjacent to a first side of the playback device; a signal emitter adjacent to a second side of the playback device; a processor; and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions. The example functions include detecting, by the signal detector, an analog signal; amplifying the analog signal in analog form; applying an offset to analog signal in analog form; filtering the offset signal in analog form; and emitting, by the signal emitter, the filtered signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/527,266, filed on Jun. 19, 2012,entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE AN INFRARED SIGNAL”, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer electronics and, moreparticularly, to methods and apparatus to provide an infrared signal.

BACKGROUND

Technological advancements have increased the accessibility of musiccontent, as well as other types of media, such as television content,movies, and interactive content. For example, a user can access audio,video, or both audio and video content over the Internet through anonline store, an Internet radio station, an online music service, anonline movie service, and so on, in addition to the more traditionalavenues of accessing audio and video content. Demand for audio, video,and both audio and video content inside and outside the home continuesto increase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologyare better understood with regard to the following description, appendedclaims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an example system in which embodimentsof the methods and apparatus disclosed herein can be implemented;

FIG. 2A shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and speakers;

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and connected to external speakers;

FIG. 2C shows an illustration of an example zone player connected to anA/V receiver and speakers;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of an example controller;

FIG. 4 shows an example system including an audio playback device and adisplay device;

FIG. 5 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example zoneplayer;

FIG. 6 shows an internal functional block diagram of an examplecontroller;

FIG. 7 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example infraredprovider;

FIG. 8 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example displaydevice;

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart representative of an example method to providean infrared signal; and

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart representative of an example method to processan infrared signal.

In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating exampleembodiments, but it is understood that the present disclosure is notlimited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

An audio playback device may be used in a media presentation system toprovide audio output for a display device. In an example, the audioplayback device is a sound bar and the display device is a television.In such an example, the sound bar is often placed in close proximity tothe television, such as, for example, along the bottom of the televisionscreen. Many televisions include an infrared (IR) remote sensor toreceive line-of-sight remote control signals to control the televisions.An IR sensor is often located along the lower portion of the television,such as, for example, the bottom bezel of the television. Nonetheless,if a sound bar is used with a television and the placement of the soundbar in some way blocks, or partially blocks, the line-of-sight to the IRsensor, then the remote control of the television may prove to bedifficult or even unworkable.

To address the shadowing problem described above, a traditional audioplayback device is configured to receive an IR signal from a remotecontrol and process the IR signal to obtain the data in binary form. Thetraditional audio playback device may then retransmit the binary data toa display device. However, in such a previous system, processing the IRsignal to produce binary data requires filtering, along with a manner todetermine beginning and end times of the IR signal modulation. Thisextent of processing causes a delay in the data retransmission from theaudio playback device to the display device.

In some instances, a display device may receive IR signals from both aremote control and the traditional audio playback device. This mayhappen, for example, due to the location of the audio playback deviceand the location of a user operating the controller. As a result, thedisplay device will oftentimes respond erroneously, because it receivedand acted on two of the same IR signals, one IR signal directly from theremote control and the same, but delayed, IR signal from the audioplayback device.

Example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacturedisclosed herein enable an audio playback device to overcome or preventthe shadowing problem described above, allowing a display device torespond properly to the user command. Furthermore, the systems, methods,apparatus, and articles of manufacture disclosed herein may beadvantageously applied to any application that uses IR controltechnology.

In example methods and apparatus disclosed herein, an audio playbackdevice receives an IR signal from a user controller, manipulates theoriginal IR signal, and relays the manipulated IR signal in analog formto a display device. In such examples, the relayed IR signal istransmitted to the display device without significant delay (e.g., notnoticeable to the display device). In certain embodiments, a reductionin delay, or no delay, is due to the audio playback device not having toprocess the original IR signal in digital form. Additionally, therelayed IR signal remains linear and analog in nature. The relayed IRsignal is indistinguishable, or substantially indistinguishable, fromthe original IR signal when received by the display device. Because therelayed IR signal is linear and transmitted without significant delay,the display device may receive the original IR signal from thecontroller and/or the relayed IR signal from the audio playback deviceas a single received IR signal and may process the single received IRsignal.

An example apparatus includes an infrared provider to receive a firstsignal from a first device. The first signal is analog andrepresentative of a command. The example infrared provider is tolinearly manipulate the first signal in analog form, wherein themanipulated signal remains analog. The example infrared provider is torelay the manipulated signal to a second device. The relayed manipulatedsignal is representative of the command and is indistinguishable orsubstantially indistinguishable from the first signal by the displaydevice.

An example method includes receiving a first signal from a first device.The first signal is analog and representative of a command. The examplemethod includes linearly manipulating the first signal in analog form,wherein the manipulated signal remains analog. The example methodincludes relaying the manipulated signal to a second device. The relayedmanipulated signal is representative of the command and isindistinguishable or substantially indistinguishable from the firstsignal by the display device.

An example audio playback device includes an audio output device togenerate an audio signal based on an audio signal source. The exampleaudio playback device includes a processor to control the audio outputdevice. The example audio playback device includes an infrared providerto receive a first signal from a first device. The first signal isanalog and representative of a command. The example infrared provider isto linearly manipulate the first signal in analog form, wherein themanipulated signal remains analog. The example infrared provider is torelay the manipulated signal to a second device. The relayed manipulatedsignal is representative of the command and is indistinguishable fromthe first signal.

Many other examples are provided herein.

II. An Example Operating Environment

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals can refer to likeparts throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example system 100 inwhich one or more embodiments disclosed herein can be practiced orimplemented.

By way of illustration, system 100 represents a home presentlyconfigured with multiple zones, though the home could have beenconfigured with only one zone. Each zone in the home, for example, mayrepresent a different room or space, such as an office, bathroom,bedroom, kitchen, dining room, family room, home theater room, utilityor laundry room, and patio. A single zone might also include multiplerooms if so configured. One or more of zone players 102-124 are shown ineach respective zone of the home. A zone player 102-124, also referredto as a playback device, multimedia unit, speaker, player, and so on,provides audio, video, and/or audiovisual output. Controller 130provides control to system 100. Controller 130 may be fixed to a zone,or alternatively, mobile such that it can be moved about the zones.System 100 may also include more than one controller 130. System 100illustrates an example whole house audio system, though it is understoodthat the technology described herein is not limited to its particularplace of application or to an expansive system like a whole house audiosystem 100 of FIG. 1.

a. Example Zone Players

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show example types of zone players. Zone players200, 202, and 204 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, can correspondto any of the zone players 102-124 of FIG. 1, for example. In someembodiments, audio is reproduced using only a single zone player, suchas by a full-range player. In some embodiments, audio is reproducedusing two or more zone players, such as by using a combination offull-range players or a combination of full-range and specializedplayers. In some embodiments, zone players 200-204 may also be referredto as a “smart speaker,” because they contain processing capabilitiesbeyond the reproduction of audio, more of which is described below.

FIG. 2A illustrates zone player 200 that includes sound producingequipment 208 capable of reproducing full-range sound. The sound maycome from an audio signal that is received and processed by zone player200 over a wired or wireless data network. Sound producing equipment 208includes one or more built-in amplifiers and one or more speakers. Abuilt-in amplifier is described more below with respect to FIG. 4. Aspeaker or acoustic transducer can include, for example, any of atweeter, a mid-range driver, a low-range driver, and a subwoofer. Insome embodiments, zone player 200 can be statically or dynamicallyconfigured to play stereophonic audio, monaural audio, or both. In someembodiments, zone player 200 is configured to reproduce a subset offull-range sound, such as when zone player 200 is grouped with otherzone players to play stereophonic audio, monaural audio, and/or surroundaudio or when the audio content received by zone player 200 is less thanfull-range.

FIG. 2B illustrates zone player 202 that includes a built-in amplifierto power a set of detached speakers 210. A detached speaker can include,for example, any type of loudspeaker. Zone player 202 may be configuredto power one, two, or more separate loudspeakers. Zone player 202 may beconfigured to communicate an audio signal (e.g., right and left channelaudio or more channels depending on its configuration) to the detachedspeakers 210 via a wired path.

FIG. 2C illustrates zone player 204 that does not include a built-inamplifier, but is configured to communicate an audio signal, receivedover a data network, to an audio (or “audio/video”) receiver 214 withbuilt-in amplification.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, one, some, or all of thezone players 102 to 124 can retrieve audio directly from a source. Forexample, a zone player may contain a playlist or queue of audio items tobe played. Each item in the queue may comprise a uniform resourceidentifier (URI) or some other identifier. The URI or identifier canpoint the zone player to the audio source. The source might be found onthe Internet (e.g., the cloud), locally from another device over datanetwork 128, the controller 130, stored on the zone player itself, orfrom an audio source communicating directly to the zone player. In someembodiments, the zone player can reproduce the audio itself, send it toanother zone player for reproduction, or both where the audio is playedby the zone player and one or more additional zone players in synchrony.In some embodiments, the zone player can play a first audio content (ornot play at all), while sending a second, different audio content toanother zone player(s) for reproduction.

By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. presentlyoffers for sale zone players referred to as a “PLAY:5,” “PLAY:3,”“CONNECT:AMP,” “CONNECT,” and “SUB.” Any other past, present, and/orfuture zone players can additionally or alternatively be used toimplement the zone players of example embodiments disclosed herein.Additionally, it is understood that a zone player is not limited to theparticular examples illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C or to the SONOS®product offerings. For example, a zone player may include a wired orwireless headphone. In yet another example, a zone player might includea sound bar for television. In yet another example, a zone player caninclude or interact with a docking station for an Apple IPOD® or similardevice.

b. Example Controllers

FIG. 3 illustrates an example wireless controller 300 in docking station302. By way of illustration, controller 300 can correspond tocontrolling device 130 of FIG. 1. Docking station 302, if provided, maybe used to charge a battery of controller 300. In some embodiments,controller 300 is provided with a touch screen 304 that allows a user tointeract through touch with the controller 300, for example, to retrieveand navigate a playlist of audio items, control operations of one ormore zone players, and provide overall control of the systemconfiguration 100. In certain embodiments, any number of controllers canbe used to control the system configuration 100. In some embodiments,there can be a limit set on the number of controllers that can controlthe system configuration 100. The controllers might be wireless likewireless controller 300 or wired to data network 128.

In some embodiments, if more than one controller is used in system 100,then each controller may be coordinated to display common content, andmay all be dynamically updated to indicate changes made from a singlecontroller. Coordination can occur, for instance, by a controllerperiodically requesting a state variable directly or indirectly from oneor more zone players; the state variable may provide information aboutsystem 100, such as current zone group configuration, what is playing inone or more zones, volume levels, and other items of interest. The statevariable may be passed around on data network 128 between zone players(and controllers, if so desired) as needed or as often as programmed.

In addition, an application running on any network-enabled portabledevice, such as an IPHONE®, IPAD®, ANDROID™ powered phone, or any othersmart phone or network-enabled device can be used as controller 130. Anapplication running on a laptop or desktop personal computer (PC) orMAC® can also be used as controller 130. Such controllers may connect tosystem 100 through an interface with data network 128, a zone player, awireless router, or using some other configured connection path. Examplecontrollers offered by SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. include a“Controller 200,” “SONOS® CONTROL,” “SONOS® Controller for IPHONE®,”“SONOS® Controller for IPAD®,” “SONOS® Controller for ANDROID™,” “SONOS®Controller for MAC® or PC.”

c. Example Data Connection

Zone players 102 to 124 of FIG. 1 are coupled directly or indirectly toa data network, such as data network 128. Controller 130 may also becoupled directly or indirectly to data network 128 or individual zoneplayers. Data network 128 is represented by an octagon in the figure tostand out from other representative components. While data network 128is shown in a single location, it is understood that such a network isdistributed in and around system 100. Particularly, data network 128 canbe a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination of both wiredand wireless networks. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to data network 128 based on aproprietary mesh network. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to data network 128 using anon-mesh topology. In some embodiments, one or more of the zone players102-124 are coupled via a wire to data network 128 using Ethernet orsimilar technology. In addition to the one or more zone players 102-124connecting to data network 128, data network 128 can further allowaccess to a wide area network, such as the Internet.

In some embodiments, connecting any of the zone players 102-124, or someother connecting device, to a broadband router, can create data network128. Other zone players 102-124 can then be added wired or wirelessly tothe data network 128. For example, a zone player (e.g., any of zoneplayers 102-124) can be added to the system configuration 100 by simplypressing a button on the zone player itself (or perform some otheraction), which enables a connection to be made to data network 128. Thebroadband router can be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),for example. The broadband router can be used to form another datanetwork within the system configuration 100, which can be used in otherapplications (e.g., web surfing). Data network 128 can also be used inother applications, if so programmed. An example, second network mayimplement SonosNet protocol, developed by SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara.SonosNet represents a secure, AES-encrypted, peer-to-peer wireless meshnetwork. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the data network 128 isthe same network, such as a traditional wired or wireless network, usedfor other applications in the household.

d. Example Zone Configurations

A particular zone can contain one or more zone players. For example, thefamily room of FIG. 1 contains two zone players 106 and 108, while thekitchen is shown with one zone player 102. In another example, the hometheater room contains additional zone players to play audio from a 5.1channel or greater audio source (e.g., a movie encoded with 5.1 orgreater audio channels). In some embodiments, one can position a zoneplayer in a room or space and assign the zone player to a new orexisting zone via controller 130. As such, zones may be created,combined with another zone, removed, and given a specific name (e.g.,“Kitchen”), if so desired and programmed to do so with controller 130.Moreover, in some embodiments, zone configurations may be dynamicallychanged even after being configured using controller 130 or some othermechanism.

In some embodiments, if a zone contains two or more zone players, suchas the two zone players 106 and 108 in the family room, then the twozone players 106 and 108 can be configured to play the same audio sourcein synchrony, or the two zone players 106 and 108 can be paired to playtwo separate sounds in left and right channels, for example. In otherwords, the stereo effects of a sound can be reproduced or enhancedthrough the two zone players 106 and 108, one for the left sound and theother for the right sound. In certain embodiments, paired zone players(also referred to as “bonded zone players”) can play audio in synchronywith other zone players in the same or different zones.

In some embodiments, two or more zone players can be sonicallyconsolidated to form a single, consolidated zone player. A consolidatedzone player (though made up of multiple, separate devices) can beconfigured to process and reproduce sound differently than anunconsolidated zone player or zone players that are paired, because aconsolidated zone player will have additional speaker drivers from whichsound can be passed. The consolidated zone player can further be pairedwith a single zone player or yet another consolidated zone player. Eachplayback device of a consolidated playback device can be set in aconsolidated mode, for example.

According to some embodiments, one can continue to do any of: group,consolidate, and pair zone players, for example, until a desiredconfiguration is complete. The actions of grouping, consolidation, andpairing are preferably performed through a control interface, such asusing controller 130, and not by physically connecting and re-connectingspeaker wire, for example, to individual, discrete speakers to createdifferent configurations. As such, certain embodiments described hereinprovide a more flexible and dynamic platform through which soundreproduction can be offered to the end-user.

e. Example Audio Sources

In some embodiments, each zone can play from the same audio source asanother zone or each zone can play from a different audio source. Forexample, someone can be grilling on the patio and listening to jazzmusic via zone player 124, while someone is preparing food in thekitchen and listening to classical music via zone player 102. Further,someone can be in the office listening to the same jazz music via zoneplayer 110 that is playing on the patio via zone player 124. In someembodiments, the jazz music played via zone players 110 and 124 isplayed in synchrony. Synchronizing playback amongst zones allows forsomeone to pass through zones while seamlessly (or substantiallyseamlessly) listening to the audio. Further, zones can be put into a“party mode” such that all associated zones will play audio insynchrony.

Sources of audio content to be played by zone players 102-124 arenumerous. In some embodiments, music on a zone player itself may beaccessed and a played. In some embodiments, music from a personallibrary stored on a computer or networked-attached storage (NAS) may beaccessed via the data network 128 and played. In some embodiments,Internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts can be accessed via thedata network 128. Music or cloud services that let a user stream and/ordownload music and audio content can be accessed via the data network128. Further, music can be obtained from traditional sources, such as aturntable or CD player, via a line-in connection to a zone player, forexample. Audio content can also be accessed using a different protocol,such as AIRPLAY®, which is a wireless technology by Apple, Inc., forexample. Audio content received from one or more sources can be sharedamongst the zone players 102 to 124 via data network 128 and/orcontroller 130. The above-disclosed sources of audio content arereferred to herein as network-based audio information sources. However,network-based audio information sources are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the example home theater zone players 116, 118, 120are coupled to a display device such as a television 132. In someexamples, the television 132 is used as a source of audio for the hometheater zone players 116, 118, 120, while in other examples audioinformation from the television 132 can be shared with any of the zoneplayers 102-124 in the audio system 100.

f. Example Home Theater

FIG. 4 shows an example system 400 including an audio playback device402 and a display device 404. The example audio playback device 402 ofFIG. 4 is a zone player such as a sound bar. However, a zone player mayinclude any type of audio reproduction device. The example audioplayback device 402 is located within a zone that also includesadditional zone players such as a subwoofer 406 and a rear surrounddevice 408. The illustrated example of FIG. 4 can be used as a hometheater system in combination with a television (e.g., the displaydevice 404). It is understood, however, that subwoofer 406 and rearsurround device 408 are not necessary for the reproduction of audio inconjunction with display device 404, but can provide additional soundeffects for the listener, such as deeper bass and rear/side soundeffects.

A controller 410 is in communication with the audio playback device 402and/or the display device 404. The controller 410 can include one ormore of a remote control. For example, the remote control may correspondto the television, a universal remote control, a sound bar in additionto the television, and so on. The controller 410 includes one or morecommand buttons or soft keys (e.g., software configurable buttons suchas those found on a touchscreen control device) to be pressed by a userto issue commands to the display device 404. Example commands caninclude power ON/OFF, volume up, volume down, mute, channel control, andso on.

The example audio playback device 402 communicates with the controller410 via a wireless connection 412. In some embodiments, using thecontroller 410, a user of the system 400 can control the example audioplayback device 402 to, for example, change an audio output volume ofthe audio playback device 402 (e.g., increase volume, decrease volume,mute, and so on), change a signal source from which the audio playbackdevice 402 is to obtain audio information to be played, configure whichzones are to play audio from particular audio information sources,and/or perform any other settings and/or configuration adjustment to theaudio playback device 402.

The example display device 404 communicates with the controller 410 viaa wireless connection 414, for example. Using the controller 410, a userof the system 400 can control the example display device 404 to, forexample, communicate a volume command to the display device 404, changean input to the display device 404, power the display device 404 onand/or off, and/or otherwise perform any other settings and/orconfiguration adjustment to the display device 404. In some embodiments,the audio playback device 402 can learn which remote control is beingused to control the display device 404.

In the illustrated example, the controller 410 controls both the audioplayback device 402 and the display device 404 (e.g., the controller 410is a universal remote control). The controller 410 can selectivelyand/or simultaneously interact with the audio playback device 402 andthe display device 404. In some such examples, the audio playback device402 and the display device 404 transmit messages and receive commandsdepending on which of the audio playback device 402 and the displaydevice 404 the controller 410 is configured to interact with for a givencommand. In some examples, the audio playback device 402 and the displaydevice 404 may each have a dedicated user input device. For example,separate controllers may be used to control each of the audio playbackdevice 402 and the display device 404.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the audio playback device 402 iscoupled to the example display device 404 via a wired connection 416and/or a wireless connection 418. The wired connection 416 and/or thewireless connection 418 transmit audio information, control messages,commands, audio and/or video metadata, and/or other information betweenthe audio playback device 402 and the display device 404. An examplewired connection that may be used to implement the wired connection 416is an optical fiber connection like TOSLINK, an audio connection usingRCA connectors, a multi-media connection using HDMI, a data connectionusing Ethernet, some other wired connection, or some combinationthereof. The wireless connections 412, 414, 418 can be an infrared (IR)connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, a Bluetooth connection,any other wireless connection, or some combination thereof. While somedisplay devices, such as televisions, are provided with audio outputmechanisms (e.g., speakers), in the example system 400, the audioplayback device 402 outputs the audio instead of (or in complement to)any audio output mechanisms on the display device 404.

In some embodiments, the example audio playback device 402 can selectbetween multiple different sources of audio information, of which one isthe display device 404. In some examples, the display device 404represents multiple potential sources of audio information when thedisplay device 404 functions as a switch or hub for additional devices.In some embodiments, the display device 404 is a television that canswitch between different input devices such as video game consoles,cable, satellite, and/or broadcast television programs, DVD players,Blu-ray players, video cassette players, digital video players, and/orany other input device.

In addition to the example display device 404, the audio playback device402 can select other audio information sources, such as network-basedaudio information sources. Network-based audio information sources maybe accessed, for example, via a router 420 or another network-enableddevice (e.g., IPAD®, IPHONE®, or ANDROID™ device that connects to theInternet directly to a data network). The example audio playback device402 is coupled to the example router 420 or other network-enabled devicevia a wired or wireless connection 422, which enables access tonetwork-based audio information sources (e.g., via the Internet and/or alocal area network). In another example, the audio playback device 402has direct access to network-based audio information sources through,for example, a 3G or 4G connection or a broadband connection directly.

The example messages transmitted and received by the example audioplayback device 402 and the example display device 404 may bepacket-based messages, such as Ethernet packets. The type of the message(e.g., volume message, source message, and so on) and/or any additionalinformation (e.g., volume up, volume down, mute, unmute, specified audioinformation source, and so on) can be carried, for example, in thepayload of the packet-based message. Data may additionally oralternatively be transmitted and received by the example audio playbackdevice 402 and the example display device 404 using IR signals.

The example system 400 of FIG. 4 may be divided into multiple groups.Each of the groups may be located, for example, in a different room of alarger location (e.g., a house). The example controller 410 is mobileand may be in the same physical location as any example group, orneither of them, at any given time. Example groups may be positioned indifferent locations or may be combined at a user's direction (e.g., viathe controller 410) such that the devices 402, 404, 406, 408 play thesame audio or different audio channels in synchrony. The user mayadditionally or alternatively direct a group to play audio originatingfrom the display device 404 while another group plays other audiooriginating from another source of audio information (e.g., via therouter 420).

Any of the example audio playback device 402, the display device 404,the subwoofer 406, and/or the rear sound device 408 may be grouped in amaster-slave arrangement, where one of the devices 402-408 communicateswith another of the devices 402-408 and/or the router 420 to receiveand/or provide audio information, synchronizing signals, and/orcommands. The example devices 402-408 then communicate with each otherto receive and/or provide audio information, synchronizing signals,and/or commands.

The example audio playback device 402 includes an example IR provider424 to facilitate communication between the example controller 410 andthe example display device 404. In some examples, the audio playbackdevice 402 may be located in front of the example display device 404such that the display device 404 is impaired in receiving signals and/orcommands from the controller 410. For example, the audio playback device402 may be located in front of an IR receiver on the example displaydevice 404. The example IR provider 424 enables the audio playbackdevice 402 to receive IR signals from the controller 410 (or any otherdevice within the system 400), to manipulate the IR signals, and torelay the manipulated IR signals in a manner which enables the displaydevice 404 to receive and process the IR signals.

In the illustrated example, responsive to a user activating a key,button, or command on the controller 410, the controller 410 may send anIR signal (e.g., a command) in the direction of the display device 404via the example wireless connection 414. However, due to the positioningof the audio playback device 402 and/or the display device 404, it ispossible that the path of the IR signal to the display device 404 isblocked by the audio playback device 402 and not blocked in otherinstances. In some embodiments, regardless of whether the IR signal tothe display device 404 is blocked or not, the IR signal is received bythe audio playback device 402 via the example wireless connection 412.The example IR provider 424 manipulates the original IR signal andrelays the manipulated IR signal to the display device 404 linearly andwithout significant (e.g., noticeable) delay to the display device 404.The example IR provider 424 transmits the manipulated IR signal to thedisplay device 404 via the example wireless connection 418. In someembodiments, the manipulated IR signal is transmitted to the displaydevice 404 without significant delay because the IR signal is notprocessed in digital form. In some examples, the IR provider 424 createsa second IR signal representative of the original IR signal andtransmits the second IR signal to the display device 404. In someexamples, the IR provider 424 creates the only IR signal received by thedisplay device 404 due to the blocking of the IR sensor on the displaydevice 404 by the audio playback device 402. As a result, irrespectiveof whether one or two IR signals (or portions of the IR signal(s)) reachan IR sensor on the display device 404, the audio playback device, insome embodiments, ensures that the display device 404 receives thecorrect user intended command.

In the illustrated example, the example display device 404 may receiveat least the relayed IR signal from the audio playback device 402 andprocesses the relayed IR signal to execute the command (e.g., to changean audio source). In some examples, the display device 404 receives theoriginal IR signal (or a portion thereof) from the controller 410 viathe example wireless connection 414 and receives the relayed IR signal(or a portion thereof) from the audio playback device 402 via theexample wireless connection 418. In such an example, because the exampleIR provider 424 relayed the manipulated IR signal linearly and withoutsignificant delay, the display device 404 is able to process theoriginal IR signal and the relayed IR signal as a single IR signal. Inother words, the received IR signal at the display device 404 is acombination of the original IR signal from the controller 410 and therelayed IR signal from the audio playback device 402 (e.g., the receivedIR signal is a sum of the original and relayed IR signals). Thus, thedisplay device 404 is unable to distinguish between the separate IRsignals and processes the received IR signal as a single instruction. Inprevious systems, where IR signals were repeated in digital form, therewas a significant delay in the transmission of the repeated IR signal.In such previous systems, a display device receiving the original IRsignal and the repeated digital IR signal would be unable to processeither IR signal. The example IR provider 424 is described in greaterdetail below in connection with FIG. 7.

III. Zone Players

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an example block diagram of azone player 500 in accordance with an embodiment. Zone player 500includes a network interface 502, a processor 508, a memory 510, anaudio processing component 512, one or more modules 514, an audioamplifier 516, and a speaker unit 518 coupled to the audio amplifier516. FIG. 2A shows an example illustration of such a zone player. Othertypes of zone players may not include the speaker unit 518 (e.g., suchas shown in FIG. 2B) or the audio amplifier 516 (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2C). Further, it is contemplated that the zone player 500 can beintegrated into another component. For example, the zone player 500could be constructed as part of a television, lighting, or some otherdevice for indoor or outdoor use.

In some embodiments, network interface 502 facilitates a data flowbetween zone player 500 and other devices on a data network 128. In someembodiments, in addition to getting audio from another zone player ordevice on data network 128, zone player 500 may access audio directlyfrom the audio source, such as over a wide area network or on the localnetwork. In some embodiments, the network interface 502 can furtherhandle the address part of each packet so that it gets to the rightdestination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player 500.Accordingly, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includes anInternet Protocol (IP)-based source address as well as an IP-baseddestination address.

In some embodiments, network interface 502 can include one or both of awireless interface 504 and a wired interface 506. The wireless interface504, also referred to as a radio frequency (RF) interface, providesnetwork interface functions for the zone player 500 to wirelesslycommunicate with other devices (e.g., other zone player(s), speaker(s),receiver(s), component(s) associated with the data network 128, and soon) in accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any wirelessstandard including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15).Wireless interface 504 may include one or more radios. To receivewireless signals and to provide the wireless signals to the wirelessinterface 504 and to transmit wireless signals, the zone player 500includes one or more antennas 520. The wired interface 506 providesnetwork interface functions for the zone player 500 to communicate overa wire with other devices in accordance with a communication protocol(e.g., IEEE 802.3). In some embodiments, a zone player includes both ofthe interfaces 504 and 506. In some embodiments, a zone player 500includes only the wireless interface 504 or the wired interface 506.

In some embodiments, the processor 508 is a clock-driven electronicdevice that is configured to process input data according toinstructions stored in memory 510. The memory 510 is data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more software module(s) 514, which can beexecuted by the processor 508 to achieve certain tasks. In theillustrated embodiment, the memory 510 is a tangible machine-readablemedium storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 508.In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 500 to retrieveaudio data from another zone player or a device on a network (e.g.,using a uniform resource locator (URL) or some other identifier). Insome embodiments, a task may be for the zone player 500 to send audiodata to another zone player or device on a network. In some embodiments,a task may be for the zone player 500 to synchronize playback of audiowith one or more additional zone players. In some embodiments, a taskmay be to pair the zone player 500 with one or more zone players tocreate a multi-channel audio environment. Additional or alternativetasks can be achieved via the one or more software module(s) 514 and theprocessor 508.

The audio processing component 512 can include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor, and so on. Insome embodiments, the audio processing component 512 may be part ofprocessor 508. In some embodiments, the audio that is retrieved via thenetwork interface 502 is processed and/or intentionally altered by theaudio processing component 512. Further, the audio processing component512 can produce analog audio signals. The processed analog audio signalsare then provided to the audio amplifier 516 for play back throughspeakers 518. In addition, the audio processing component 512 caninclude circuitry to process analog or digital signals as inputs to playfrom zone player 500, send to another zone player on a network, or bothplay and send to another zone player on the network. An example inputincludes a line-in connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mm audioline-in connection).

The audio amplifier 516 is a device(s) that amplifies audio signals to alevel for driving one or more speakers 518. The one or more speakers 518can include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”) or a completespeaker system that includes an enclosure including one or more drivers.A particular driver can be a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), amid-range driver (e.g., middle frequencies), and a tweeter (e.g., highfrequencies), for example. An enclosure can be sealed or ported, forexample. Each transducer may be driven by its own individual amplifier.

A commercial example, presently known as the PLAY:5, is a zone playerwith a built-in amplifier and speakers that is capable of retrievingaudio directly from the source, such as on the Internet or on the localnetwork, for example. In particular, the PLAY:5 is a five-amp,five-driver speaker system that includes two tweeters, two mid-rangedrivers, and one woofer. When playing audio content via the PLAY:5, theleft audio data of a track is sent out of the left tweeter and leftmid-range driver, the right audio data of a track is sent out of theright tweeter and the right mid-range driver, and mono bass is sent outof the subwoofer. Further, both mid-range drivers and both tweeters havethe same equalization (or substantially the same equalization). That is,they are both sent the same frequencies, but from different channels ofaudio. Audio from Internet radio stations, online music and videoservices, downloaded music, analog audio inputs, television, DVD, and soon, can be played from the PLAY:5.

IV. Controller

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an example block diagram forcontroller 600, which can correspond to the controlling device 130 inFIG. 1. Controller 600 can be used to facilitate the control ofmulti-media applications, automation and others in a system. Inparticular, the controller 600 may be configured to facilitate aselection of a plurality of audio sources available on the network andenable control of one or more zone players (e.g., the zone players102-124 in FIG. 1) through a wireless or wired network interface 608.According to one embodiment, the wireless communications is based on anindustry standard (e.g., infrared, radio, wireless standards includingIEEE 802.11a, 802.11b 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15, and so on). Further,when a particular audio is being accessed via the controller 600 orbeing played via a zone player, a picture (e.g., album art) or any otherdata, associated with the audio and/or audio source can be transmittedfrom a zone player or other electronic device to controller 600 fordisplay.

Controller 600 is provided with a screen 602 and an input interface 614that allows a user to interact with the controller 600, for example, tonavigate a playlist of many multimedia items and to control operationsof one or more zone players. The screen 602 on the controller 600 can bean LCD screen, for example. The screen 600 communicates with and iscommanded by a screen driver 604 that is controlled by a microcontroller(e.g., a processor) 606. The memory 610 can be loaded with one or moreapplication modules 612 that can be executed by the microcontroller 606with or without a user input via the user interface 614 to achievecertain tasks. In some embodiments, an application module 612 isconfigured to facilitate grouping a number of selected zone players intoa zone group and synchronizing the zone players for audio play back. Insome embodiments, an application module 612 is configured to control theaudio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zone group. Inoperation, when the microcontroller 606 executes one or more of theapplication modules 612, the screen driver 604 generates control signalsto drive the screen 602 to display an application specific userinterface accordingly.

The controller 600 includes a network interface 608 that facilitateswired or wireless communication with a zone player. In some embodiments,the commands such as volume control and audio playback synchronizationare sent via the network interface 608. In some embodiments, a savedzone group configuration is transmitted between a zone player and acontroller via the network interface 608. The controller 600 can controlone or more zone players, such as 102-124 of FIG. 1. There can be morethan one controller for a particular system, and each controller mayshare common information with another controller, or retrieve the commoninformation from a zone player, if such a zone player storesconfiguration data (e.g., such as a state variable). Further, acontroller can be integrated into a zone player.

It should be noted that other network-enabled devices such as anIPHONE®, IPAD® or any other smart phone or network-enabled device (e.g.,a networked computer such as a PC or MAC®) can also be used as acontroller to interact or control zone players in a particularenvironment. In some embodiments, a software application or upgrade canbe downloaded onto a network-enabled device to perform the functionsdescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, a user can create a zone group (also referred toas a bonded zone) including at least two zone players from thecontroller 600. The zone players in the zone group can play audio in asynchronized fashion, such that all of the zone players in the zonegroup play back an identical audio source or a list of identical audiosources in a synchronized manner such that no (or substantially no)audible delays or hiccups are to be heard. Similarly, in someembodiments, when a user increases the audio volume of the group fromthe controller 600, the signals or data of increasing the audio volumefor the group are sent to one of the zone players and causes other zoneplayers in the group to be increased together in volume.

A user via the controller 600 can group zone players into a zone groupby activating a “Link Zones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping azone group by activating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. Forexample, one mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for audioplay back is to link a number of zone players together to form a group.To link a number of zone players together, a user can manually link eachzone player or room one after the other. For example, assume that thereis a multi-zone system that includes the following zones: Bathroom,Bedroom, Den, Dining Room, Family Room, and Foyer.

In certain embodiments, a user can link any number of the six zoneplayers, for example, by starting with a single zone and then manuallylinking each zone to that zone.

In certain embodiments, a set of zones can be dynamically linkedtogether using a command to create a zone scene or theme (subsequent tofirst creating the zone scene). For instance, a “Morning” zone scenecommand can link the Bedroom, Office, and Kitchen zones together in oneaction. Without this single command, the user would need to manually andindividually link each zone. The single command may include a mouseclick, a double mouse click, a button press, a gesture, or some otherprogrammed action. Other kinds of zone scenes can be programmed.

In certain embodiments, a zone scene can be triggered based on time(e.g., an alarm clock function). For instance, a zone scene can be setto apply at 8:00 am. The system can link appropriate zonesautomatically, set specific music to play, and then stop the music aftera defined duration. Although any particular zone can be triggered to an“On” or “Off” state based on time, for example, a zone scene enables anyzone(s) linked to the scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., afavorable song, a predefined playlist) at a specific time and/or for aspecific duration. If, for any reason, the scheduled music failed to beplayed (e.g., an empty playlist, no connection to a share, failedUniversal Plug and Play (UPnP), no Internet connection for an InternetRadio station, and so on), a backup buzzer can be programmed to sound.The buzzer can include a sound file that is stored in a zone player, forexample.

IV. Example Infrared Provider

FIG. 7 shows an internal functional block diagram of the example IRprovider 424 within the example audio playback device 402 to facilitatecommunication between devices (e.g., between the controller 410 and thedisplay device 404 of FIG. 4). The example IR provider 424 receives anIR signal from the controller 410, manipulates the IR signal, and relaysthe manipulated IR signal to the display device 404. The manipulated IRsignal retains the linear, analog nature of the original IR signalreceived from the controller 410 and is indistinguishable from theoriginal IR signal when received by the display device 404. The exampleIR provider 424 of FIG. 7 includes a receiver 702, an amplifier 704,filter(s) 706, an offset controller 708, current driver(s) 710, andoutput(s) 712.

The example receiver 702 receives an IR signal from a device (e.g., thecontroller 410). The IR signal received from the controller 410 may bedirected by a user to the audio playback device 402 and/or the displaydevice 404. The receiver 702 may be implemented using, for example,photodiodes.

The example amplifier 704 amplifies the IR signal received by thereceiver 702 (e.g., the amplifier 704 increases the strength of the IRsignal). The amplifier 704 may be implemented using, for example, anyappropriate amplifying circuit.

The example filter(s) 706 filter the amplified IR signal. For example,other devices within a media system (e.g., fixed light sources) may emitsome IR light. This miscellaneous IR light is unrelated to the IR signaltransmitted from the controller 410 and, thus, the example filter(s) 706are used to remove the miscellaneous IR light from the amplified IRsignal. Many control systems (e.g., the controller 410) modulate IRsignals at 38 kHz. Thus, the filter(s) 706 may implement a band passfilter around 38 kHz, for example. Additionally, there may be somedirect current (DC) offset within the amplified IR signal which isremoved by the example filter(s) 706. The filter(s) 706 may beimplemented using, for example, any appropriate filtering circuit(s).

The example offset controller 708 controls the DC offset of the filteredIR signal. Outputting a linear IR signal (or substantially linear IRsignal) enables the display device 404 to receive and process IR signalsfrom both the controller 410 and the audio playback device 402 atsubstantially the same time because linear signals may be combined andprocessed as a single IR signal. To enable the IR provider 424 to outputa linear IR signal, the example offset controller 708 adds a controlledDC offset to the filtered IR signal. The filtered IR signal is offset toallow the IR signal to be biased on (e.g., to allow a light-emittingdiode (LED) to emit a background of steady, minimal IR light). Thisstream of background IR light allows the display device 404 to interpreta decrease in the IR light as “negative light.” The example offsetcontroller 708 adds the DC offset to the filtered IR signal in acontrolled manner so that each IR signal processed by the audio playbackdevice 402 is offset by a sufficient amount to be interpreted by thedisplay device 404. The offset controller 708 may be implemented using,for example, any appropriate circuitry.

The example current driver(s) 710 provide linear current sources for theoffset IR signal to drive the example output(s) 712. The exampleoutput(s) 712 may be implemented using, for example, light-emittingdiodes (LEDs). LEDs emit light proportional to the current flowingthrough them. Thus, the example current driver(s) 710 provide linearcurrent sources to enable the IR provider 424 to output a linear IRsignal. The example output(s) 712 output the manipulated IR signal. Insome examples, if the relayed IR signal becomes non-linear in nature,the relayed IR signal will appear digital in nature (e.g., the relayedIR signal is transmitted as a stream of ones and zeros). In such anexample, the display device 404 may be capable of processing the relayedIR signal as the relayed IR signal was transmitted without significant(e.g., noticeable to the display device 404) delay. The example currentdriver(s) 710 may be implemented using, for example, any appropriatecircuitry. Any number and/or types of current driver(s) 710 and/oroutput(s) 712 may be used to provide the manipulated IR signal to thedisplay device 404. For example, a plurality of LEDs may be placed alongthe back side of the audio playback device 402 to allow the displaydevice 404 to receive the relayed IR signal from a variety of positions.

FIG. 8 shows an internal functional block diagram of the example displaydevice 404 to receive and process signals and/or commands. In theillustrated example, the display device 404 receives IR signals from oneor more devices (e.g., the controller 410, the audio playback device 402of FIG. 2, or both in some instances). The example display device 404 ofFIG. 8 includes a receiver 802, filter(s) 804, and a processor 806.

The example receiver 802 receives signals and/or commands from thecontroller 410 via the example wireless connection 414 and/or from theaudio playback device 402 via the example wireless connection 418.Example commands include volume commands (e.g., volume up, volume down,mute, unmute) and/or input selection commands (e.g., which of a set ofinput devices are to be a source of audio and/or video information), andso on. In the illustrated example, the received commands are IR signals,which contain infrared light pulses.

As described above, the example IR provider 424 of the example audioplayback device 402 receives an IR signal from the controller 410,manipulates the IR signal, and relays the manipulated IR signal linearlyand without significant delay. The example receiver 802 receives atleast the relayed IR signal from the audio playback device 402. Theexample receiver 802 may additionally (or alternatively) receive theoriginal IR signal (or a portion thereof) from the controller 410. Forexample, the audio playback device 402 may not completely block theoriginal IR signal from the controller 410 such that the receiver 802receives both the original IR signal from the controller 410 and therelayed IR signal provided by the audio playback device 402 as a singleIR signal. Because the relayed IR signal was manipulated and transmittedlinearly and without significant delay, the combination of the originaland relayed IR signals received by the receiver 802 (e.g., the receivedIR signal is the sum of the original and relayed IR signals) may beprocessed by the display device 404 (e.g., at the processor 806) withoutincorrect or adverse effect. The receiver 802 may be implemented using,for example, photodiodes.

The example filter(s) 804 filter at least the relayed IR signal (e.g.,the relayed IR signal or the combination of the original and relayed IRsignals as a single received IR signal). As described above, otherdevices within a media system (e.g., fixed light sources) may emit someIR light. This miscellaneous IR light is unrelated to the IR signalstransmitted from the controller 410 and/or the audio playback device 402and, thus, the example filter(s) 804 are used to remove themiscellaneous IR light from the received IR signal. For example, thefilter(s) 804 may implement a band pass filter around 38 kHz to removeunwanted IR light. Additionally, there may be some DC offset within thereceived IR signal which is removed by the example filter(s) 804, forexample. The filter(s) 804 may be implemented using, for example, anyappropriate filtering circuit(s).

The example processor 806 of FIG. 8 controls various functions of theexample display device 404 (e.g., volume functions, audio sourcefunctions, etc.) based on at least the relayed IR signal. For example,if the command transmitted within the original and/or relayed IR signalindicates that a volume is to be increased, the processor 806demodulates at least the relayed IR signal to identify the transmittedcommand and implements a volume increase.

While the example IR provider 424 and the example display device 404have been illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, one or more of the interfaces,data structures, elements, processes and/or devices illustrated in FIGS.7 and 8 can be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminatedand/or implemented in any way. Further, the example receiver 702, theexample amplifier 704, the example filter(s) 706, the example offsetcontroller 708, the example current driver(s) 710, the example output(s)712, the example receiver 802, the example filter(s) 804, the exampleprocessor 806, and/or more generally, the example IR provider 424 and/orthe example display device 404 can be implemented by hardware, software,firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware.Thus, for example, any of the example receiver 702, the exampleamplifier 704, the example filter(s) 706, the example offset controller708, the example current driver(s) 710, the example output(s) 712, theexample receiver 802, the example filter(s) 804, the example processor806, and/or more generally, the example IR provider 424 and/or theexample display device 404 could be implemented by one or morecircuit(s), programmable processor(s), application specific integratedcircuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or fieldprogrammable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), and so on.

When any apparatus claim of this patent is read to cover a purelysoftware and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the examplereceiver 702, the example amplifier 704, the example filter(s) 706, theexample offset controller 708, the example current driver(s) 710, theexample output(s) 712, the example receiver 802, the example filter(s)804, and/or the example processor 806 are hereby expressly defined toinclude a computer readable medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, and so on,storing the software and/or firmware. Further still, the example IRprovider 424 and/or the example display device 404 can include one ormore elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of,those illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and/or can include more than one ofany or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart representative of an example method 900 toprovide an infrared signal. The example method 900 of FIG. 9 begins whenthe example receiver 702 receives an IR signal from a user input device(e.g., the controller 410 of FIG. 4) (block 902). The IR signal receivedfrom the controller 410 may be directed by a user to the audio playbackdevice 402 and/or the display device 404. The example amplifier 704amplifies the IR signal received by the receiver 702 (block 904). Theexample filter(s) 706 filter the amplified IR signal (block 906). Forexample, other devices within a media system (e.g., fixed light sources)may emit some IR light. This miscellaneous IR light is unrelated to theIR signal transmitted from the controller 410 and, thus, the examplefilter(s) 706 are used to remove the miscellaneous IR light from theamplified IR signal. Additionally, there may be some DC offset withinthe amplified IR signal which is removed by the example filter(s) 706.The example offset controller 708 adds DC offset of the filtered IRsignal (block 908). The filtered IR signal is offset to allow the IRsignal to be biased on (e.g., to allow an LED to emit a constantbackground of steady, slight IR light). The example offset controller708 adds the DC offset to the filtered IR signal in a controlled mannerso that each IR signal processed by the audio playback device 402 willbe offset by a sufficient amount to be interpreted by the display device404. The example current driver(s) 710 provide linear current sourcesfor the offset IR signal (block 910). The example output 712 relayed themanipulated IR signal via, for example, a plurality of LEDs (block 912).The example method 900 can end and/or iterate after another IR signal isreceived (block 902).

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart representative of an example method 1000 toprocess an IR signal. The example method 1000 of FIG. 10 begins when thecontroller 410 (FIG. 4) receives a user input to control the audioplayback device 402 and/or the display device 404 (block 1002). Forexample, the user input may indicate a volume and/or audio/video sourcechange. The example controller 410 outputs an IR signal based on theuser input (block 1004). For example, the controller 410 generates theIR signal representative of a volume and/or audio source change. Theexample IR provider 424 (FIG. 4) of the example audio playback device402 receives the IR signal (block 1006) and relays a manipulated IRsignal based on the original IR signal (block 1006). The process formanipulating and relaying the IR signal is described above withreference to FIG. 9. The example receiver 802 of the display device 404receives at least the relayed IR signal (block 1010). For example, thereceiver 802 receives the relayed IR signal or a combination of theoriginal and relayed IR signals. Because the relayed IR signal iscreated linearly and without significant delay by the example IRprovider 424, the relayed IR signal may be combined with and/orprocessed with the original IR signal as a single IR signal to avoidconfusion in processing by the display device 404. The example filter(s)804 filter at least the relayed IR signal to remove any miscellaneous IRlight (e.g., IR light from fixed light sources within a zone) from theat least relayed IR signal and to remove DC offset in the at leastrelayed IR signal (block 1012). The example processor 806 processes atleast the relayed IR signal to implement the input of the user receivedat block 1002 (block 1014). For example, the processor 806 demodulatesthe relayed IR signal and implements a volume and/or audio source changebased on the demodulated IR signal. The example method 1000 ends and/oriterates after receiving another user input at the controller 410 (block1002).

In an example household, a user may set up a media system such that asound bar is located in close proximity to a television (e.g., in frontof a television). In such an example, the sound bar may be used toprovide audio rather than speakers on the television itself (or inaddition to the speakers on the television). A user within the household(e.g., sitting on a chair directly in front of the sound bar) may wishto use a remote control to instruct the television to power on. Becauseof the location of the sound bar in relation to the television, thesound bar receives the instruction from the remote control. The soundbar then relays the instruction to the television using, for example,LEDs on the back side of the sound bar (as the back side of the soundbar is in front of the television). The television receives the relayedinstruction from the sound bar, processes the instruction, and powers onaccording to the instruction.

If, for example, the user (e.g., sitting on a couch left of the soundbar) is angled from the television and the sound bar so that thetelevision can receive the original instruction from the remote controland the relayed instruction from the sound bar, the television is stillable to operate because it receives and processes both instructions as asingle instruction to power on. The television can process bothinstructions as a single instruction because the sound bar relays theinstruction without significant delay (e.g., with minimal processing)and in a linear manner.

V. Conclusion

In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that disclosed examplemethods and apparatus can be used to enable an audio playback device toreceive a signal (e.g., an IR signal) from a user controller (e.g., aremote control) and to provide the signal to a display device (e.g., atelevision). In such examples, the audio playback device may block (orpartially block) IR sensors on the display device, but still enable auser to control the presentation device with the user controller.

In the example methods and apparatus disclosed herein, the audioplayback device receives an IR signal from a user controller,manipulates the IR signal, and relays the manipulated IR signal inanalog form to a display device. In such examples, the relayed IR signalis linear and is transmitted to the display device without significantdelay because the relayed IR signal is not processed in digital form.Thus, the display device may receive and process the original IR signalfrom the controller and/or the relayed IR signal from the audio playbackdevice as a single IR signal.

The description discloses various example systems, methods, apparatus,and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmwareand/or software executed on hardware. However, such examples are merelyillustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, itis contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/orsoftware components could be embodied exclusively in hardware,exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the followingdescribes example systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles ofmanufacture, the examples provided are not the only way(s) to implementsuch systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.

Additionally, reference herein to “embodiment” indicates that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment can be included in at least one example embodimentof the invention. The appearances of this phrase in various places inthe specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutuallyexclusive of other embodiments. As such, the embodiments describedherein, explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art,can be combined with other embodiments.

The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrativeenvironments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, andother symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble theoperations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These processdescriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled inthe art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to othersskilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide athorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it isunderstood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details.In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, andcircuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than theforgoing description of embodiments.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible mediumsuch as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the softwareand/or firmware.

We claim:
 1. A playback device comprising: a signal detector adjacent toa first side of the playback device; a signal emitter adjacent to asecond side of the playback device; a processor; and memory havingstored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause theplayback device to perform functions comprising: detecting, by thesignal detector, an analog signal; amplifying the analog signal inanalog form; applying an offset to analog signal in analog form;filtering the offset signal in analog form; and emitting, by the signalemitter, the filtered signal.
 2. The playback device of claim 1, whereinthe functions further comprise: providing a linear offset current to thesignal emitter.
 3. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the secondside of the playback device is on an opposite side of the playbackdevice from the first side of the playback device.
 4. The audio playbackdevice of claim 1, wherein the analog signal indicates a command for adisplay device.
 5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the functionsfurther comprise: playing audio received from a display device.
 6. Theplayback device of claim 1, wherein emitting the second signal from thesecond side of the playback device comprises: emitting the second signalsuch that a display device receives the analog signal and the emittedsignal as a single signal.
 7. The playback device of claim 1, whereinthe emitted signal is indistinguishable from the analog signal.
 8. Amethod comprising: detecting, by a signal detector adjacent to a firstside of a playback device, an analog signal; amplifying the analogsignal in analog form; applying an offset to analog signal in analogform; filtering the offset signal in analog form; and emitting, by asignal emitter adjacent to a second side of the playback device, thefiltered signal.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providinga linear offset current to the signal emitter.
 10. The method of claim8, wherein the second side of the playback device is on an opposite sideof the playback device from the first side of the playback device. 11.The method of claim 8, wherein the analog signal indicates a command fora display device.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the functionsfurther comprise: playing audio received from a display device.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, wherein emitting the second signal from the secondside of the playback device comprises: emitting the second signal suchthat a display device receives the analog signal and the emitted signalas a single signal.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the emittedsignal is indistinguishable from the analog signal.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer readable medium having stored thereon instructions executableby a processor of a playback device to cause the playback device toperform functions comprising: detecting, by a signal detector adjacentto a first side of the playback device, an analog signal; amplifying theanalog signal in analog form; applying an offset to analog signal inanalog form; filtering the offset signal in analog form; and emitting,by a signal emitter adjacent to a second side of the playback device,the filtered signal.
 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the functions further comprise: providing a linearoffset current to the signal emitter.
 17. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 15, wherein the second side of the playbackdevice is on an opposite side of the playback device from the first sideof the playback device.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable mediumof claim 15, wherein the analog signal indicates a command for a displaydevice.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15,wherein the functions further comprise: playing audio received from adisplay device.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim15, wherein emitting the second signal from the second side of theplayback device comprises: emitting the second signal such that adisplay device receives the analog signal and the emitted signal as asingle signal.